Highlights from the speeches
S. Dimas: Challenges faced by Greek diplomacy do not cease. There is always a need for planning ahead and remaining alert. When it comes to foreign policy matters, problems do not wait, do not freeze, do not stop. In these six months, during which I had the privilege of serving as Foreign Minister, I set as my priority to ensure normality and stability in the country and defend national interests, in this very unstable and difficult internal and external environment. In diplomacy procrastination is not an option.
We had to face important challenges, first and foremost the decision by the International Court of Justice on Skopje’s court action against our country. After this judgment, Greece achieved its objective goals. The international community assessed the judgment as an encouragement to the two countries to remain dedicated to the negotiation process under the auspices of the UN. This is exactly Greece’s position.
There were also important developments with regard to other priorities of Greek foreign policy. On the Cyprus issue we stood by the Republic of Cyprus, ensuring that the main lines of the negotiating process remain intact within the framework of the UN.
As regards our relations with Turkey, we kept a clear stance: we want to improve our bilateral relations and to see progress in Turkey’s EU accession course. Respecting international law and national sovereignty remain a prerequisite in that respect.
Ensuring oil supplies was another vital issue for our national economy. We managed to ensure an exception from the EU embargo on Iranian oil exports until the 1st of July, leaving room for competent agencies to find alternatives.
P. Molyviatis: Dear Minister, dear friend – I believe this is a fitting address, perhaps even more so than others – you have said it all, eloquently, with precision. There is not much left for me to add, but a few words. During your term you have indeed faced great and difficult problems both on foreign policy matters and on administrative issues, which you have managed successfully and efficiently and I congratulate you upon that.
My term in office this time will be even shorter than yours, since I will be serving a transitional government, whose mission is to prepare elections. At the same time however, it will be handling the State’s current affairs. This of course, does not mean that any threat to this country’s interests will not be countered effectively.
Dear colleagues, you know me and I know you, it is not the first time we meet; I know the problems you are facing; I cannot promise that I will be the one to solve them in a month, but I do know that you will continue to work with the same devotion, the same professionalism as you have done up to now and I thank you very much.
May 18, 2012